You’ve done the work. The triangle likely measures out. Toe-in seems aligned to the millimeter. First reflections are probably dialed. Yet something leans. Vocals tend to drift slightly left. Instruments may feel weighted to one side. You’ve checked levels, swapped cables, even reversed speakers to be sure.
The system should be centered. But it doesn’t come across that way.
What if the cause isn’t electronic—but architectural?
What to Do
Take a slow look at your room. One side might be wide open—a doorway, a hallway, a broad arch with nothing to reflect sound. The other side likely terminates at a wall. That asymmetry doesn’t just throw off your eyes—it messes with your ears. Try closing the door during playback. If the imbalance is baked into the room, mimic it: add a diffuser, a tall bookcase, or even a cloth chair on the opposite side. Balance the reflection, not just the layout.
Still no fix? Then—and I say this with full authority—use the balance knob. That’s right. The one you’ve avoided like it came with a warning label. Adjust it until the voice anchors.
You’re not failing the system. You’re letting it relax.
Here’s Why That Works
Our spatial hearing relies on early reflections. Not just direct sound, but the timing and character of reflections within the first 20 milliseconds. If one speaker radiates into open air while the other pings off drywall, the cues don’t match. The stage tilts—not because of the mix, but because of what surrounds it.
Fixing the architecture is ideal. But short of tearing out a wall, a 1–2dB tweak to left or right can restore center solidity. It won’t shrink the soundstage. It’ll settle it.
So close the door. Or add a bookshelf. Or—just turn the knob. I promise: your preamp won’t revoke your audiophile card. And neither will I.
